Don't Flush Your Medications

Do you have unused or expired over-the-counter or prescription
medication in your cabinet? Dispose of them properly to help
prevent misuse and accidental poisonings and to protect the environment.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as local organizations,
host "take-back" days, when residents can bring medications to a
designated site for proper disposal. Learn more about the National Prescription Drug Take-Back
Initiative.

General Medical Disposal Information

DON'T flush unused
medicines.

Why? Because they can end up in our rivers and streams. To help protect
our environment, throw unused, unwanted or expired over-the-counter and
prescription medicines in the trash. Don’t flush medicines — except when
specifically instructed by the label.

DO throw them in the trash.

The American Pharmacists Association recommends steps for safely
disposing of pills and liquids. These steps will help prevent their
misuse or accidental ingestion by children or pets.

Keep the medicines in their original container. This will help identify
the contents if they are accidentally ingested.

Cross out your name and prescription number for safety.

For pills: Add some salt water to start dissolving them. For liquids:
Add something inedible like cat litter, dirt or ash.

Seal the container and secure with duct or packing tape.

Put the container in the trash as close to pickup time as possible. Do
not put in the recycle bin.

Learn about the Drug Enforcement Administration's National
Take-Back Initiative, which schedules periodic National
Prescription Drug Take-Back Days. On these days, residents can safely
dispose of unwanted, unused prescription drugs at a nearby
drop-off location.